New look Seagulls flex muscles against Casey

Williamstown kick-started its season in perfect fashion, defeating 2016 runners-up Casey by 23 points in an Easter Monday showdown at Burbank Oval.

In front of a strong crowd, the Seagulls broke open the game in the third term kicking four goals to zero, setting up a 12.11 (83) to 8.12 (60) win.

The Williamstown lineup boasted a number of new faces, all of whom played their role in a side that certainly came to play, showing no signs of rust from the pre-season.

While returning recruit Adam Marcon opened the Seagulls account for the 2017 season with a typically brilliant goal from a stoppage, Frankston recruits Kyle Gray, Josh Newman, Daylan Kempster and Ben Cavarra all showed that they are going to be important players for the club throughout the year.

Also making his Seagulls debut as VFL level was exciting forward Nick Ebinger, who showed some promising signs against a very talented Casey backline.

The first half was a see-sawing affair between the two sides, with Casey taking a slight advantage early before the Seagulls hit back to take an eight-point lead into the half.

But in a third quarter onslaught that no one saw coming, Williamstown bounded out to a 31-point three-quarter time lead, and from there were able to slow the pace of the game down to preserve victory.

Marcon was in everything. Playing as if he had never left, the classy ball-winner picked up 30 disposals, nine clearances, five tackles and the aforementioned goal for a best on ground performance.

Not far behind him was his cousin, ruckman Nick Meese, who clearly enjoyed waxing with the star onballer throughout the match.

Meese dominated the stoppages with a whopping 63 hitouts, and making his presence felt with seven bone crunching tackles.

In defence, despite missing the likes of Joel Tippett, Peter Faulks and Ben Bese, consistent performers Davis Fahey and Jake Greiser locked down on their opponents while also providing some attack from the backline with 27 disposals between them.

2016 Gerry Callahan Medallist Willie Wheeler was second only to Adam Marcon for disposals with 28 and seven clearances, where as up forward, Leigh Masters, Tim Currie and Michael Gibbons all looked dangerous at time with two goals each.

The Seagulls won't have too much time to celebrate the win however, as they gear up to face the Northern Blues at Preston City Oval on Saturday in just five days time.